When Ralph Left Us

The Jacket

The Jacket

The Coat
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
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I'm not being a prick, I'm not being an asshole - I'm just curious.

Is there a reason why Ralph left us before the bowl game to go be with Maryland before the Peach Bowl in 2000? I don't recall seeing anything of the sort, and it's bothered me since it happened so I want to know if there is a genuine reason as to why it occurred?
 
That happens pretty often.

Richt left FSU before their bowl to go to UGA, and infuriated the FSU faithful, but it happens frequently.

O'Leary left us for Notre Dame, leaving McWhorter to pick up the peices in the Seattle Bowl.

There were 6 interim coaches that had to coach their respective teams this past bowl season, WVU being the only one that won with the interim coach.

Ralph has a prickly personality by pretty much all accounts anyway, but that particular action is commonplace, although all most of my examples are of head coaches, but it's similar because Ralph left to 'be' a head coach.

On a side note - I do know that he inquired about the GT job after Gailey was fired, but did not interview. He must think this this a pretty good place if that is true. I wouldn't hold it against him too much.
 
techfowl said:
That happens pretty often.

Richt left FSU before their bowl to go to UGA, and infuriated the FSU faithful, but it happens frequently.

O'Leary left us for Notre Dame, leaving McWhorter to pick up the peices in the Seattle Bowl.

There were 6 interim coaches that had to coach their respective teams this past bowl season, WVU being the only one that won with the interim coach.

Ralph has a prickly personality by pretty much all accounts anyway, but that particular action is commonplace, although all most of my examples are of head coaches, but it's similar because Ralph left to 'be' a head coach.

On a side note - I do know that he inquired about the GT job after Gailey was fired, but did not interview. He must think this this a pretty good place if that is true. I wouldn't hold it against him too much.
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I believe you, as you've been a guy that I've respected over the years. I play around with the whole Ralph Rivalry with Maryland because it's fun, but some people are genuinely angry with him so I decided to ask. Thanks. :)
 
Chan did the same thing too. Well, it wasn't voluntary, but the timing was the same :).
 
Don't know where the anger is coming from. Fridge has always been dearly loved by most of the fans and alumni at GT. I totally understood why he left. The month of December is critical to recruiting.
 
This is the main reason I hate the big gap between the last game and bowl games. The coaching carousel wreaks havoc on the enjoyment of bowls.

Another reason is there are too many bowls to begin with (#cough# Boise, Idaho #cough#)
 
The Jacket said:
I'm not being a prick, I'm not being an asshole - I'm just curious.

Is there a reason why Ralph left us before the bowl game to go be with Maryland before the Peach Bowl in 2000? I don't recall seeing anything of the sort, and it's bothered me since it happened so I want to know if there is a genuine reason as to why it occurred?
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I just read a book by Brian Curtis called "Every Week a Season" in which the author spent a week around 9 programs during the 2003 season. One program happened to be Maryland. Anyway, in the book, he reported that it was George O'Leary, not Friedgen that did not want the Fridge to coach the bowl game against LSU and did not want Friedgen meeting with the players to say goodbye. Friedgen was disappointed by that but of course understood.
 
That would not surprise me either.

I certainly was never angry with Friedgen outside of the fact that he came back and wore us out a couple of times after leaving. Once we got the rivalry under control again, I liked him just fine. :)
 
It is typical. Ralph left to get a head start on recruiting up in Md. PJ did the same thing. Chan didn't do it for us (he stayed through the playoffs with Miami) and it probably cost us a few more players.

I've got nothing but respect for Ralph. I love O'Leary for rebuilding the program. I just whish he would have lest a year earlier, so we could have gotten Ralph. Or left a month earlier so we could have gotten PJ six years ago. His timing for leaving just didn't pan out.
 
techfowl said:
That happens pretty often.

Richt left FSU before their bowl to go to UGA, and infuriated the FSU faithful, but it happens frequently.
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Richt accepted the UGA job, but still coached the Semnioles in the BCS Championship game in 2000 against OU. The offense did nothing against OU, and many b;ame Richt for not being "focused" on the FSU team.
 
One of the sadder sights I have ever seen was a shot during the game of Ralph sitting alone in an empty area of the dome. Whatever the reason right was not done to RF in this instance.
 
Ralph may not have been coaching but he was at the Peach Bowl because he sat near us.
 
Jimbo, was he with anyone or sitting by himself? Frankly , considering all he did for us I think he should have been in the President's Box or somewhere similar as an honored guest of GT who was moving on to his dream job, HFC at his alma mater. I can see his not being on the sidelines but somehow GT should have done better by him.

Maybe it was just the camera angle but he just looked like a fat older guy with glasses who was lonely. I felt sorry for him and upset that no one, either Clough, Braine, or alum had the class to invite him to the game.
 
goldeagle said:
Jimbo, was he with anyone or sitting by himself? Frankly , considering all he did for us I think he should have been in the President's Box or somewhere similar as an honored guest of GT who was moving on to his dream job, HFC at his alma mater. I can see his not being on the sidelines but somehow GT should have done better by him.

Maybe it was just the camera angle but he just looked like a fat older guy with glasses who was lonely. I felt sorry for him and upset that no one, either Clough, Braine, or alum had the class to invite him to the game.
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We saw him walking down the aisle talking to fans at the half so I don't know where he was sitting. I do remember that he had on a suit.
 
Ralph is a legend around here....but yes, he is a prick.

Just ask former players.
 
BarrelORum said:
Don't know where the anger is coming from. Fridge has always been dearly loved by most of the fans and alumni at GT. I totally understood why he left. The month of December is critical to recruiting.
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Loved him as our OC , but he has shown nothing as a head coach with his own recruited players. The biggest shocker is his inability to develop a QB . Strictly Off. Coord. material and I think Md. is beginning to see it. Without Van De K's team that he inherited, dont think he is .500 on his own.
 
Wilmoo, Friedgen inherited something like 20 returning starters his first year and an incredible 22 his second year (including kickers). On top of that he got a "gift" from an ex player to make his first year a success.
 
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